BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Medco Health: Still the right prescription for portfolios]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/16/medco-health-still-the-right-prescription-for-portfolios/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/16/medco-health-still-the-right-prescription-for-portfolios/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/16/medco-health-still-the-right-prescription-for-portfolios/#commentsFiled under:

The market's choppy/consolidating tone, combined with the slow-growth/no-growth U.S. economy, suggests it is prudent to add a defensive stock or two to your portfolio, and with the aforementioned in mind, Medco Health Solutions is worth a review.

Medco Health Solutions (NYSE: MHS) is one of the largest U.S. pharmacy benefit managers, with services provided to client/member PBMs and physicians/pharmacies. (Note: Medco Health's shares split 2-for-1 on January 10, 2008.)

Analysts like Medco's high account retention, new business wins, economies of scale, and the company's entry into the Medicare Part B segment with its acquisition of PolyMedica.

Continue reading Medco Health: Still the right prescription for portfolios

Medco Health: Still the right prescription for portfolios originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>healh careMedco HealthMHSpharmacy benefits managersMon, 16 Jun 2008 18:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Medco Health: The right prescription for a choppy market]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/13/medco-health-the-right-prescription-for-a-choppy-market/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/13/medco-health-the-right-prescription-for-a-choppy-market/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/13/medco-health-the-right-prescription-for-a-choppy-market/#commentsFiled under:

Medco Health Solutions (NYSE: MHS) logo Most portfolios could benefit from a pharmacy supply play for defensive purposes, and Medco Health Solutions (NYSE: MHS) is worthy of consideration for this role. Medco Health is one of the largest pharmacy benefits managers in United States, with services provided to member health plans offered by unions, HMOs, and corporations, among other organizations.

Analysts like Medco's high account retention, new business wins, economies of scale, and the company's entry into the Medicare Part B segment with its acquisition of PolyMedica. The Reuters F2007/F2008 EPS consensus estimates for MHS are $3.60/$4.38.

The risks? Analysts have their eye on the increased market penetration of generic drugs and some pricing pressure in contract renewals. Also, the stock's PE ratio of 30 is high, even considering MHS's growth prospects, hence the stock is vulnerable to a pull-back. The problem with the 'buy on pull-back' tactic here is that MHS's pull-backs have been mild, so there's no guarantee of a 5% pull-back before a share purchase decision.

Continue reading Medco Health: The right prescription for a choppy market

Medco Health: The right prescription for a choppy market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defensive stocksdrugsemployee benefitshealth carehealth care costsMedco HealthMHSPBMspharmacy benefits managersThu, 13 Dec 2007 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst initiations: GMTN, LEVP, ITMN, AET and MHS]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/27/analyst-initiations-gmtn-levp-itmn-aet-and-mhs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/27/analyst-initiations-gmtn-levp-itmn-aet-and-mhs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/27/analyst-initiations-gmtn-levp-itmn-aet-and-mhs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Gander Mountain, Lev Pharmaceuticals, Intermune, Aetna and Medco Health were today's noteworthy initiations:
  • Nollenberger initiated shares of Gander Mountain Company (NASDAQ: GMTN) with a Sell rating and $5.00 target, and believes the company's goal of reaching profitability in 2007 could prove overly optimistic.
  • Lev Pharmaceuticals (OTC: LEVP) was initiated with a Sector Outperformer rating and $3 target at CIBC, as the firm believes Cinryze will likely be approved in 1Q08 and they expect the company to have significant pricing leverage.
  • JP Morgan resumed coverage of Intermune Inc (NASDAQ: ITMN) with an Overweight rating and expects shares to be driven by the company's pipeline in IPF and HCV.
  • Aetna Incorporated (NYSE: AET) was initiated with an Outperform rating at Wachovia. The firm feels Aetna is positioned for better growth and higher quality earnings than its peers.
  • William Blair started shares of Medco Health Solutions Inc (NYSE: MHS) with an Outperform rating, as they believe an aging population, rising health care costs, and an acceleration in new product introductions should increase demand for PBM services over the next five years.
OTHER INITIATIONS:

Analyst initiations: GMTN, LEVP, ITMN, AET and MHS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Advanced SemiAdvancedSemiAETAetnaASXGander MountainGanderMountainGMTNinitiationinitiationsIntermuneITMNLevLev PharmaceuticalsLEVPLevPharmaceuticalsMedco HealthMedcoHealthSIGMSigma DesignsSigmaDesignsSilicon ImageSiliconImageSiliconware PrecisionSiliconwarePrecisionSIMGSIRFSirf TechnologySirfTechnologySPILThu, 27 Sep 2007 11:10:00 EST